Understanding Four Views on Baptism (Counterpoints)

by John H. Armstrong; Richard L. Pratt Jr.; Robert Kolb; John D. Castelein

and

1 more

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2007

Overview

What is the significance of water baptism? Who should be baptized? Is infant baptism scriptural? Which is the proper baptismal mode: sprinkling, pouring, or immersion? Should people be rebaptized if they join a church that teaches a different form of baptism? Should baptism be required for church membership? These and other questions are explored in this thought-provoking book.

Of all the sacraments, the practice of baptism is often the most disputed. Christians hold different views of its exact significance, who should receive baptism and how old they need to be, the practice of rebaptism, and baptism as a requirement for church membership.

In Understanding Four Views on Baptism, four historic views on baptism are considered in depth:

• Baptist view: baptism of the professing regenerate by immersion (presented by Thomas J. Nettles)
• Reformed view: infant baptism of children of the covenant (presented by Richard Pratt Jr.)
• Lutheran view: infant baptism by sprinkling as a regenerative act (presented by Robert Kolb)
• Church of Christ view: believers' baptism on the occasion of regeneration by immersion (presented by John Castelein)

Each view is presented by its proponent, then critiqued and defended in dialogue with the book's other contributors. Here is an ideal setting in which you can consider the strengths and weaknesses of each stance and arrive at your own informed conclusion.

Contents

• Baptist View: Baptism as a Symbol of Christ's Saving Work, Thomas J. Nettles
• Reformed View: Baptism as a Sacrament of the Covenant, Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
• Lutheran View: God's Baptismal Act as Regenerative, Robert Kolb
• Christian Churches/Churches of Christ View: Believers' Baptism as the Biblical Occasion of Salvation, John D. Castelein

Top Highlights

“These and many other NT passages seem to indicate that baptism is much more than a symbol. In the language of the Bible, spiritual realities such as rebirth, renewal, forgiveness, salvation, and union with Christ are intimately associated with the rite of baptism.” (Page 61)

“Baptism unfailingly initiates people into the visible church, but it provides entry into the invisible church only for those who have saving faith.” (Page 69)

“Calvinists have characteristically spoken of baptism not only as an ordinance but also as a sacrament or a mystery, a rite through which God applies grace.” (Page 60)

“What we do have is a consensus, at least regarding the first few hundred years, which suggests there was a great deal of flexibility in actual baptismal practice. In the record of the early church there is evidence for infant baptism, child baptism, adult baptism (including those born into Christian families), immediate baptism (upon profession of faith), delayed baptism (sometimes for as long as several years), and even various modes of baptism (though the Didache, a second-century guide, points to immersion as the mode to be used).” (Page 15)

“In the OT, physical circumcision pointed to the need for inward spiritual circumcision; in the NT, physical washing in baptism points to the need for inward spiritual washing. The parallels are between two outward acts and the inward realities they represent.” (Pages 45–46)

Product Details

• Title: Understanding Four Views on Baptism
• Authors: John H. Armstrong, Richard L. Pratt Jr., Robert Kolb, John D. Castelein, Thomas J. Nettles
• Series: Zondervan Counterpoints Series
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 224
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Baptism › History of doctrines
• ISBNs: 9780310493549, 9780310262671, 0310493544, 0310262674
• Resource ID: LLS:4VBAPTISM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T20:27:50Z

About John H. Armstrong

John H. Armstrong is president of ACT 3 in Carol Stream, Illinois and served as a pastor for more than twenty years. He is an adjunct professor of evangelism at Wheaton College Graduate School. His online commentaries regularly appear at www.Act3online.com. He holds degrees from Wheaton College, Wheaton Graduate School, and Luther Rice Seminary. He is the author or editor of a number of books including The Catholic Mystery, Five Great Evangelists, Understanding Four Views on the Lord’s Supper, and Understanding Four Views on Baptism.